Still got shopping to do? Better take a big dose of patience before hitting the stores and forget about being home by a certain hour. It’s rough out there! Here’ what’s going on ‘round our town.

Lieutenant Colonel André Dean (U.S. Army Retired), from the Elwood Community and Madisonville High School Class of 1979, paid his filing fee and submitted his conservative Republican candidacy for Madison County Judge Monday.

COURTESY PHOTOS Cap: The Madisonville basketball team remained undefeated with a perfect 4-0 record at the Mike Dacus Classic in Navasota over the weekend with victories over Giddings, Sealy, LaGrange and Cameron to move to no. 24 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) UIL Boys’ rankings.

The Madisonville Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD) School Board held their monthly meeting for December Monday and heard the district’s yearly transportation report from a representative from Durham School Services.

Madison County District Attorney Brian Risinger formally announced his bid for reelection in a written announcement this week. He is seeking to retain the office he has held since 2011.

The North Zulch Elementary Student Council, which was formed this year, orchestrated a community service project this semester that brought a Little Free Library to the community, making it easier for their citizens to access a broad range of of book titles closer to home.

GALA NETTLES You know the grinch that stole Christmas? I think he arrived a little early this year. He also stopped at our house first and he stole the Round Town column! I got all comfy Saturday evening to proof what I had written and to add a few more tidbits.

Madisonville CISD has been one of the few school districts in the state of Texas that has seemingly weathered the COVID-19 pandemic and continued to thrive through the constant uncertainty of its consequences. Through the pandemic, MCISD has managed to raise test scores and maintain an ‘A’ rating in academic and financial accountability.

The Madisonville men’s basketball team seized their first Madisonville Invitational Classic title in over 25 years Saturday with a 59-46 victory over Crockett, resulting in an 8-0 start to their season and a no. 25 ranking in the Texas Association of Basketball Coach’s 4A rankings Monday. The Mustangs picked up wins over Tarkington and Shepherd Thursday to qualify for the Gold Bracket as well as Navasota Friday to advance to Saturday's championship. (Pictured: James Whaley (23) goes up for a layup against a Crockett defender Saturday) CAMPBELL ATKINS